As demand for convenience food and fresh food packaging increases, more and more PET thermoformed packaging are placed on the market. Mono-layer trays for e.g. packing fresh fruits and vegetables, and multi-layer sealed trays with lids as seen for fresh meat or food preparations are providing the best packaging assets for the packing, distribution, shelf displays, consumer handling and food conservation at home. These trays especially for meals on the go usually have a short life span, as once the take-out meal is completed, the trays will go into the trash with many ending up at landfills.

Sustainability heads for major retailers are keen to know how they can improve the image of their brand and ensure the sustainability of its packaging ?

PET with its recycling capability is undoubtedly the most attractive material for thermoformed packaging. According to Petcore Europe: “The market for PET thermoforms is growing as it continues to replace other materials. Currently, the total EU, Switzerland and Norway market for PET thermoforms is estimated to be 1 to 1.1 million tons of PET virgin and rPET, including imports.”

Considering demand, Petcore Europe reports that PET thermoforms is the No.1 end market for post-consumer recycled PET. This demand has reached higher numbers than the PET bottle to bottle and fibers end markets.

One reason is because the quality hot washed flake is good in the EU and can be used to produce sheets for thermoforming. Consequently, it’s easier and more economical to recycle rPET into thermoforms than bottles.

Working in collaboration with Linpac, the new design utilises a tray thermoforming process to laminate the newpaper graphic to a transparent rPET sheet.

The challenge now is to further improve the recycling of thermoforms that has rPET content . How many times can trays with rPET content be recycled again ?

WRAP in the UK has done a marvelous job in promoting recycling of PET trays. Recently launched a new project with eight companies, the objective is to recycle the complete stream of thermoforms, mono- and multi-material, into new applications. The trial will include washing, pelletizing and solid stating, and the outcome material will be available for testing in new applications

Attend the first-of-its-kind PET Sheets & Thermoform conference organised by CMT on the 19-20th of February 2018, ending with an optional site visit to the Viridor Rochester PET recycling facility.

Why Attend

Encouraged by the emerging demand of PET in thermoforming applications, CMT brings you the latest in its PET series and the only most important event focusing on PET thermoforming where Europe’s leading thermoformers converge and network.

Key Highlights include:

RPET Market Outlook - and issues impacting the market and the UK perspective

Supporting the effective and sustainable use of PET sheets in thermoforming applications

WRAP presenting on the circular economy and development in the thermoforming industry and the recovery of trays and containers in UK

Young Seafood’s Group sharing their journey on their new fish MAP pack tray in rPET

This event is an excellent platform to promote your organization to influential players and investors in the industry. Sponsorship opportunities available include Corporate,Exclusive luncheon &Cocktail sponsor.

Irish packaging company Invests in Extrusion Line for PET sheets

Posted on : 13 Oct, 2017

Ireland’s Quinn Packaging has installed a new PET sheet extrusion line – supplied by SML Maschinen. The new line comes at EUR 3 million and incorporates Erema’s "Vacurema" recycling technology. It can produce food grade plastic sheets that has an increased volume of recycled raw materials (PET bottle flakes).

The new technology will help realize Quinn Packaging's Eco-Innovation initiative that aims to manufacture environment friendly products and reduce the company's carbon footprint.

With the new PET sheet capacity, Quinn Packaging is well positioned to increase supply to packaging companies (for thermoforming applications) and food companies (for form, fill and seal applications).

Quinn Packaging also expects to supply PET sheets to European countries, especially supermarkets and food processing companies that are keen on environment friendly packaging.

More details on PET sheets and thermoform markets will be shared at CMT’s PET Sheets & Thermoforms on 27-28 February, 2018 in Cambridge, UK.